History

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated onto Indian lands about 1500 BC; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century.

By the mid- to late 18th century, Britain's Honourable East India Company had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. The Honourable East India Company controlled virtually all trade with India and performed all the functions of government until the Government of India Act of 1858, when full control was assumed by Queen Victoria as Empress of India.

Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led to independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan.

A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.
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Timeline

1846 - 1885 Historians consider India's modern age to have begun sometime during this time period
1917 - Approximately one million Indians served in World War I
1947 - Partition of India into two states: India and Pakistan
1950 - Vital to India's self-image as an independent nation was its constitution which put in place a secular and democratic republic
1971 - A third war between India and Pakistanthe resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh

ANCIENT EMPIRES

2500 -1600 BC

Indus Valley Culture

1500 - 500 BC

Migrations of Aryan-speaking tribes; The Vedic Age

1000 BC

Settlement of Bengal by Davidian-speaking peoples

600 BC

Territorial states emerge: Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, and Gandhara

500 BC

Most of northern India inhabited

563 - 483 BC

Life of Siddartha Gautama - the Buddha; founding of Buddhism

320 BC −550 AD

Gupta Empire: Classical Age of a united India (confined mostly to the north)

Mauryan Empire; reign of Ashoka (269-232 BC); spread of Buddhism: First Indian imperial power

180 BC -150 AD

Shaka dynastics in Indus Valley

100 BC −300 AD

Deccan Indian Kingdoms: Power decentralized in the hands of local chieftains

606 - 47 AD

North Indian empire of Harsha

711 AD

Arab invaders conquer Sindh, establish Islamic presence in India

750 -1150 AD

Pala Dynasty

1150 -1202 AD

Sena Dynasty

GROWTH OF ISLAM

997 -1027AD

Mahmud of Ghazni raids Indian subcontinent from Afghanistan

1202 AD

Turkish conquerors defeat Sena Dynasty and overrun Bengal

1206 -1398 AD

Delhi Sultanate

1336 −1527 AD

Southern Dynasties in India establish rule

1398 AD

Timur sacks Delhi

1414 -1450 AD

Sayyid Dynasty; renewal of Delhi Sultanate

1451 - 1526 AD

Lodi Dynasty

THE MUGHAL PERIOD

1526 AD

Babur lays foundation of Mughal Empire; wins First Battle of Panipat

1556 -1605 AD

Akbar expands and reforms the empire; Mughals win Second Battle of Panipat

1600 AD

East India Company granted British Crown charter with exclusive rights to India

1605 -1627 AD

Reign of Jahangir; in 1612 East India Company opens first trading post (factory)

1619 AD

English East India Company establishes outpost at Surat on the northwestern coast

1628 -1658 AD

Reign of Shah Jahan

1658 -1707 AD

Reign of Aurangzeb, last great Mughal ruler

1707 -1858 AD

Lesser emperors; decline of the Mughal Empire

BRITISH PERIOD

1757 AD

Battle of Plassey - British victory of Mughal forces in Bengal; British rule in India begins

1835 AD

Institution of British educaiton and other reform measures

1857 -1858 AD

Revolt of Indian sepoys (soldiers) agains East India Company

1858 AD

East India Company abolished and Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India (the British Raj); begins with Government of India Act; formal end of Mughal Empire

1869 AD

The creation of the Suez canal radically reduces journey time from India

1885 AD

Indian National Congress formed

1892 AD

Dadabhai Naoroji first Indian to win a Parliamentary seat in England

1897 AD

Ayah's Home established in Aldgate, London

1916 AD

Congress-League Scheme of Reforms (Lucknow Pact) signed

1935 AD

Government of India Act of 1935

INDEPENDENT INDIA

15 August1947 AD

Partition of British India; India achieves independence and incorporates West Bengal and Assam;Jawaharlal Nehru becomes prime minister of India. Pakistan is created and incorporates East Bengal and territory in the northwest.

1962 AD

Commonwealth Immigrants Act limits the migration of South Asians to England